Bafana next coach? Benni sets record straight

South African football icon Benni McCarthy has opened up about the possibility of coaching Bafana Bafana, as speculation grows over a successor to current head coach Hugo Broos.

Broos, who was appointed by the South African Football Association in 2021, has confirmed that he will step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup to spend more time with his family in Belgium.

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Since taking charge, the 74-year-old has guided the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winners to a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON, and is now set to lead the team at the World Cup in North America.

However, his tenure will come to an end regardless of the World Cup outcome, prompting SAFA to begin planning for a new head coach.

Amongst the names linked to the role are former Mamelodi Sundowns coaches Rulani Mokwena and Pitso Mosimane, as well as McCarthy himself.

The former Bafana striker has now addressed the speculation, revealing both his interest in the national team job and his preference regarding timing.

"I think a lot of people will be interested in the job to coach Bafana. But if I’m asked, of course I would. It’s my country. It’s the national team," McCarthy said, speaking in the April edition of KICK OFF Magazine.

McCarthy said that there’s a fantastic group of talented players who are currently playing for Bafana.

"So it’s a very good time to achieve things with this group of players, with the calibre and quality that they have," he said.

"So, yeah, if the chance comes, I don’t see why I wouldn’t want to coach my national team. But maybe not the next job after the World Cup because I miss club football."

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The former Pirates striker said he missed working on a daily basis, every day with players. He added that for his next job, he'd prefer it to be in club football again.

"...because there is too much time in between matches for the national team."

McCarthy, who is currently the head coach of the Kenya national team, is in the early stages of building towards the 2027 AFCON which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.